Tin Cup, Colorado in 1906, photo from WesternMiningHistory.com
This Summer, as mining history enthusiasts gather in Gunnison, Colorado for the Annual Meeting of the Mining History Association, we invite you to take a deeper look at the stories that shaped this rugged region—and to make Island Acres Resort Motel your home base while you do it.
Gunnison County is no stranger to gold rush dreams, boomtown drama, and the resilience of those who carved a life out of the high country. Just up the road lies Tin Cup, a near-mythical town whose name still echoes with the clang of pickaxes and the hum of early settlement life.
The Tale of Tin Cup
Tin Cup’s story begins in the late 1870s when prospector Jim Taylor dipped a humble tin cup into Willow Creek and struck gold. His discovery sparked a rush that gave the area its name—first Tin Cup Gulch, then briefly Virginia City, before residents settled on the more memorable and fitting “Tin Cup” in 1882.
Like many frontier mining towns, Tin Cup rose quickly. By the early 1880s, it boasted a courthouse, post office, hotels, boarding houses, general stores, saloons, and a daily stagecoach route connecting it to Gunnison and St. Elmo. At its height, Tin Cup had a population of nearly 1,500.
But with prosperity came problems. Tin Cup gained a reputation for lawlessness, particularly during its early years. Several town marshals met violent ends, and local disputes were often settled by the gun rather than the gavel. Despite the chaos—or perhaps because of it—the town thrived briefly as a symbol of the rowdy, determined spirit that defined Colorado’s mining frontier.
Eventually, like many mining towns, Tin Cup’s fortunes faded. Fires in the early 1900s and dwindling ore production led to its decline. By 1918, the post office closed and the town slipped into a quieter chapter.
Yet Tin Cup never entirely disappeared. Today, the town is a seasonal community and a beloved stop for history buffs and adventure seekers alike. Visitors can still see original log cabins, stroll among headstones in the Tin Cup Cemetery, and feel the echoes of a once-booming town tucked high in the Sawatch Range.
Map from the 1959 book, Guide to the Colorado Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, authored by Perry Eberhart.
Gunnison’s Golden Connections
In addition to Tin Cup, Gunnison County boasts several historic mining towns, including, but not limited to:
- Almont
- Crested Butte
- Irwin
- Pitkin
- Gothic
- Wuanita Hot Springs
- Ohio City
Gunnison itself grew as a vital hub during Colorado’s mining boom. While mining didn’t necessarily take place in the city of Gunnison, it certainly impacted the booming population. In 1880, there was a flourishing community of 10,000 residents in Gunnison, a number that rivaled Denver at the time.
During this thriving era, Gunnison was a hub for processing and shipping metals as well as providing refuge for miners from the harsh winter conditions in the mountains. While the ore cars and narrow-gauge railroads may be long gone, the stories remain—etched into the landscape, buildings, and museums of this historic mountain town.
Attendees of the MHA meeting will find themselves immersed in lectures and field trips exploring the region’s mining past. From the historic Alpine Tunnel to the ghost town of Ohio City, the area offers no shortage of material for mining history buffs.
Brochure for the 1980 Colorado State Mining Championship held in Gunnison, Colorado.
Where to Stay: A Nod to Nostalgia with Modern Comfort
Island Acres Resort Motel, just minutes from downtown Gunnison, offers a uniquely Colorado stay that blends mid-century Americana with mountain serenity. Our vintage cabin-style rooms are surrounded by grassy courtyards and towering cottonwoods, evoking a simpler era—one that might resonate with those who appreciate the legacy of the mining frontier.
Whether you’re heading out to explore the remnants of Bonanza or winding your way up to Pitkin, Island Acres makes for a convenient and peaceful launching pad. Plus, our accommodations provide the kind of calm and comfort that conference-goers will appreciate after a full day of historic exploration.
We look forward to welcoming Mining History Association attendees to Gunnison this Summer. We hope that while you may come for the history—you’ll stay for the hospitality!
Book your stay today!
Book your stay at Island Acres Resort Motel today, your home base in the Gunnison Valley!